Page 25 of Playing for Keeps
“You are, yeah.”
Everyone stopped talking when Javier and Steven entered. For a second Udo and Steven locked eyes. A flash of excitement erupted inside Udo.
Then it was gone as Jamie followed them through the door.
“What the fuck does he want?” Ewen whispered.
Visits from the management were never a good thing.
Jamie stood in front of them and clapped his hands together.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” he said.
Oh God, he’s being nice.
They all murmured their responses whilst glancing warily at one another.
“Now come on,” Jamie continued. “Let’s have some energy. I know you’re dying to get out on the grass so I’ll make it snappy. Our main sponsor, South Tel, are having an investor dinner in London this week. They’ve decided they want the full squad there.”
Everyone groaned.
Udo hated industry functions. They were usually full of drunken arseholes. They either fawned all over them or told them how shit they were compared to other players. Neither was a particularly pleasant experience.
“Cheer up,” Jamie said. “How about I ask Javier if we can relax the no drinking rule?”
They all whooped. Javier looked fit to burst.
“Wait a second…”
“Oh go on,” Jamie said. “Two drinks max. That won’t hurt.”
Javier was crimson.
“Fine but don’t come tearing a strip off me if we lose. This is on you.”
Jamie turned back to the squad. “Best not lose then, lads.”
Udo watched his teammates grinning and laughing with one another. They didn’t get much of a chance to get pissed together. Christmas and summer.
It wasn’t the idea of drinking that was giving Udo dread. He’d be going back to London for the first time since moving north. The idea made him want to retch. Instead, he painted a smile on his face.
Udo couldn’t help glancing across at Steven. To his astonishment, Steven was watching him intently. His face a picture of concern.
Then he got control of himself and looked away.
Udo desperately wanted to be completely honest with him. Maybe it was time.
SEVEN
STEVEN
Steven closed his laptop lid and stretched. He longed for an hour in the bath with a nice glass of something.
He glanced across the room. Javier was frowning at his monitor.
“You okay, boss?”
“Yeah. Trying to make sure we get enough training in with Jamie’s unscheduled detour. Fucking man. He thinks we stretch a bit then play at the weekends.”
